Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Barack Obama wrote of his aunt Zeituni Onyango in his autobiography Dreams from My Father.

In the book he describes how, on his visit to Kenya, Zeituni revealed the mysteries of their complex family tree, introduced him to other relatives and fed him a herbal remedy for a stomach upset.

Zeituni had been working at Kenya Breweries when Mr Obama visited the country in 1988, but inquiries as to her whereabouts today elicited a similarly blank response from the family. [Link]

She has been found living in Massachusetts.

Aunt Zeituni is now ... living in Boston, and recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew's presidential bid from a work address in the city.

Speaking outside her home in Flaherty Way, South Boston, on Tuesday, Ms Onyango, 56, confirmed she was the “Auntie Zeituni” in Mr Obama’s memoir. She declined to answer most other questions about her relationship with the presidential contender until after the November 4 election. “I can’t talk about it, I just pray for him, that’s all,” she said, adding: “After the 4th, I can talk to anyone.” [Link]